Carmel Madeline Johnstone

JOHNSTONE, Carmel Madeline
(Age 86)

Born June 9, 1924 in Spokane, Washington and passed away February 7, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Preceded in death by her parents Luigi and Lucia (Gallicano) Pontieri, brother Lucian (Bud) and sister Florence. Carmel graduated from North Central High School, attended business school and then went to work for Christian Studios as a portrait photographer and color artist. While working at Christian Studios she met the love of her life, Fay Johnstone, with whom she enjoyed 61 loving years of marriage. Carmel also worked as a portrait photographer and color artist for Dorian Studios for many years. Carmel and her husband loved to travel and visited much of the U.S., and also Europe, Canada, Mexico, Asia, Australia and Fiji. She was a renowned cook who loved to entertain. She was also a host mother to more than 12 foreign exchange students, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Carmel was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church for 41 years as well as other social clubs such as Suburbanites and Women of the Rotary. She was a wonderfully loving, exceedingly generous and kind person who employed her ever-present, and sometimes mischievous sense of humor, in all of her actions right up until the end. Carmel is survived by her husband Fay, her daughter Nancy Nishimura (Hideaki); two grandchildren, Joel Robinson (Kazumi), and Laurel Henderson (Michael); one great-grandson, Quinn; one great-granddaughter, Maya; her sister, Sister Miriam Pontieri SNJM and brother Louis Pontieri. Memorials can be made to Holy Names Retirement Fund or House of Charity. Vigil on Monday, Feb. 14 at 7p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. will be held at St. John Vianney Church, 503 N. Walnut Rd., Spokane Valley. Please sign Carmel's online guestbook at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to: